Leaving the policing world is a hugely daunting experience.
From experience, please let me know if you have felt it as well, the policing environment institutionalises you to believe that you cannot break free of a mold.
To progress, you have to fight the multiple barriers in order to gain the next rank which is handed out in a process that is arguably unfair. Some have argued, corrupt.
In order to earn more in rank, you have to spend time away from family, live at work and put yourself potentially in more danger just to get by.
You can be held back by the “greatest pension” talk. Reality is, if you are earning more in the private sector with pension schemes that are matching…this may not be the case.
Talks regarding “but you will never have this fun driving on blue lights”. Quite right, that is a unique part of policing. However also brings danger, potential crashes, investigations if you crash etc regardless if in the right.
Do you really have perks anymore? Having to pay for travel, even though discounted, realistically that’s increasing.
Now, this isn’t a “slagging” match regarding policing. I loved my career there! It is and can be an incredible job. I couldn’t work for an organisation that wouldn’t fix the issues at the top but happy to make the “workers” go through hell.
Leaving the policing world was really opened my eyes into how the structure needs to change and reform. How simply cutting budgets to fix short term goals will never work.
How do you think the policing world should change? What are your opinions on the reasons for staying/leaving?
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Police Sergeant at Lancashire Constabulary
5moSome great advice and links on here. I have to agree the prospect of starting the search for the next career is somewhat daunting after almost 30 years working in Policing. Thanks for the links and something I will definitely be using .